defrost

verb

de·​frost di-ˈfrȯst How to pronounce defrost (audio)
ˈdē-ˌfrȯst
defrosted; defrosting; defrosts

transitive verb

1
: to release from a frozen state
defrost meat
2
a
: to free from ice
defrost a refrigerator/freezer
b
: to clear (a window or windshield) with a vehicle's defroster
defrost a windshield to clear it of ice and condensation

intransitive verb

: to thaw out especially from a deep-frozen state

Examples of defrost in a Sentence

You can defrost the soup in the microwave. Has the refrigerator defrosted yet?
Recent Examples on the Web The texture may become chalky when frozen and defrosted. Melissa Gray, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2023 That will help defrost the later-stage venture market, but only for some companies—those getting close to profitability and willing to accept lower valuations. Yuliya Chernova, WSJ, 20 Sep. 2023 One is to freeze the chutney in small containers to defrost within the next six months. Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Sep. 2023 Others want one that can also defrost milk directly in storage bags or that can warm pouches of baby food. Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 18 Sep. 2023 Preset functions, like defrosting, come standard in modern microwaves, as does reheating and popcorn. Brigitt Earley, Good Housekeeping, 31 Aug. 2023 Or, to defrost in portions, separate the cabbage into smaller batches before freezing. Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2023 For most standard tasks — reheating individual portions of food, defrosting small quantities of vegetables or making popcorn — a 700- to 900-watt microwave will likely do the trick. Brigitt Earley, Good Housekeeping, 31 Aug. 2023 After a decade, the series has defrosted for 10 new episodes which will be added to Hulu on July 24. Sophia Scorziello, Variety, 27 June 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'defrost.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of defrost was in 1895

Dictionary Entries Near defrost

Cite this Entry

“Defrost.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defrost. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.

Kids Definition

defrost

verb
de·​frost di-ˈfrȯst How to pronounce defrost (audio)
ˈdē-
1
: to free from a frozen state : thaw out
defrost meat
2
: to free from ice
defrost a refrigerator
3
: to remove fog or condensed moisture from
defrost the windshield

More from Merriam-Webster on defrost

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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